Those who do not like the idea that everything is
fine and peachy in Lincoln TURN BACK NOW. Your retinas are about to
burst.

That is all.

****WARNING WARNING****

I am your friend, Blankmaniacs. Let me tell you a
little bit about what friends do. Friends, and I’m talking true
friends, not the kind who advertise in the Wooden Nickel offering
to polish your boat with a fine coat of sawdust. When the chips are
really down and things get really, really bad, friends tell other
friends the truth, the way it is, regardless of whether its pretty
or not. So, allow me to open up to you in the wake of the metaphorical
ACL tear we all just witnessed. I’ve held my tongue in a few
areas in the past, but not anymore. I was even tempted to hold off
on writing this article tonight, but since I’ll probably be
knocked more unconscious tomorrow than what’s-his-name who played
for Wyoming a few years back in Lincoln, but that’s another
story.

Back after the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I wrote a
column that invoked a lot of emotion from people. Now, for all of
you who wrote in and chastised me, told me what a bad fan I was and
spat on what I had to say? There were about 25 people who agreed with
what I had to say. That’s not an “I told you so”.
That’s just the way it is. For those who are new to this whole
SPB bidness, I basically said that Frank was not cutting it as a head
coach at Dear Old Nebraska U anymore. I felt, and feel, that he is
a good person, a fine individual and someone who I’d be more
than happy to buy the salad bar for at Ruby Tuesday’s. That
notwithstanding, he is NOT a CEO, he is NOT a head football coach,
not for Nebraska, at least.

“Why?” you may exclaim. “Give us
reasons mishtah bigshot!”. Fair enough. You want reasoning?
Did you even watch what took place on November 15th, 2003? An offense
that was so shackled, I think I saw it do a brief cameo in Amistad.
A defense that was so porous, I could’ve sworn it lived in a
pineapple under the sea. A team that was so disillusioned that I had
a sinking feeling in my stomach when Darren Sproles jerked his way
into the end zone with people clinging to his shoulder pads. Oh but
it’s all on Barney or Bo, right? Sure, to an extent, but in
the end? The man at the top has to give the green light on these projects,
people. Frank Solich is that man and quite frankly? (Dig that sweet
pun action!) I am unimpressed.

So, what’s it matter? Some schlub on the internet
doesn’t like what Frank does, who cares? Fair enough, Brunhilda,
but I might inform you that some very lucrative people (Read: Basically
everyone with a checkbook at this point) have eyeballed the 50 million
dollar campaign started by our esteemed Mr. Pederson and have said,
“Steve-o? I am N when Frank is out, ya dig?” It’s
quite obvious that I am not the only one who shares this view according
to the 150+ responses I received a few weeks back. You could see the
desperation in Frank through his charges. False starts, dropped passes,
overthrown balls, clock management, fumbles, every little thing that
came through in the past 6 years. It’s a growing list, people,
and it is not going to shrink.

Frank isn’t the only issue I have with the staff
and no, I’m not talking about Barney, nor am I talking about
Bo and the D-boys. Think internal. Think smaller. Think more legs.
Okay, that last one, you can throw out. There are issues around in
the underbelly of the program, I’ve had them pointed out to
me and just like I watched a certain fullback block the ground so
wonderfully yet again, I watched these individuals stab the program
over and over again. Their removal suggests better things for the
University of Nebraska’s footballing program.

Now, I know what a lot of you are thinking after reading
all of that, if you indeed did read and didn’t skim, for which,
I applaud you. “Blankman’s turning his back on the program!”
Not hardly. I’ve always wanted to be in a position to help the
program in the long run, but I pictured my role to be one of maintenance,
not rebuilding. Funny how that works out, isn’t it? Many will
run from the program now and the true loyalists will stay behind.
I know quite a few who will stick around, some on a rather personal
level and this will be an instance when the cream rises to the top.
It’ll be a long and arduous road, but it can and will be achieved.
We have too many good people around the program for it not to be.

Alright, so, you’re asking, “What can
I do to make the program better?” Simple, really. First, I would
ask you to listen to what I’ve said, not so much that as why
I’ve said it. If you disagree, fantastic, but take a moment
to at least indulge me. There are reasons why the football team’s
playing as it is. It didn’t just happen. Examine why for yourself,
take an in depth look of the past 6 years. In the meantime? Write
letters, write e-mails. Help out at fund-raisers, call up the U and
ask how you can help. They want your help, believe me and they can’t
wait to have you aboard. Basically? Give your time, give your effort
and hey, 10 bucks to the Championship Drive project ain’t such
a bad thing either. It sucks hearing this sort of thing over and over
again, believe me I know, I’ve been on both ends of it. In the
end though, just remember, this is what friends do.

Questions,
commentary and witty “With friends like you, who needs enemies?”
e-mails can be sent, per usual, to Blankman71@cox.net